History repeated at Model A Ford rally

TURNING BACK TIME: A picture of Ford Cars in the early 1930s was recreated at the same venue with the same models of cars during the 15th National Model A Ford Rally in Gisborne over Easter.

A photo from around 1931 of Model A Ford cars and trucks outside Gisborne Motors was re-created over the Easter break.

With so many of the vintage cars in town for the 15th National Model A Ford Rally, Balclutha man Paul McNabb organised the same models of Fords to be parked in front of the same shop 90 years later.

The Model A Ford was the first car for the everyday citizen.

By 1929, 50 percent of all cars sold in the United States were Model A Fords.

Mr McNabb was one of around 250 people (and 135 Model A Ford cars) in the city for the week-long rally.

He took the opportunity to recreate the historical photo as the same models were among the cars at the rally.

Mr McNabb said there had been many a debate around coffee tables about what the increase of electric vehicles meant for internal combustion engines that run on fossil fuels. He believes electric cars taking over are a long way off.

“It will be a long time before the internal combustion engine goes away. Our car is 92 years old now. People will still be able to enjoy them for years.”

Mr McNabb said Model A enthusiasts were lucky in New Zealand because they could just hop in their vintage cars and go for a drive whenever they wanted.

In Australia, he said you could only drive the old cars during certain times and you had to keep a logbook.

Over the few couple of days they had enjoyed drives over backcountry roads in Tairawhiti.

“We climbed some hills and went down some dales. We’ve had a great time. People toot, smile and give us the thumbs up all the time. We can’t brake or accelerate as fast as the modern cars but we’ve had a great time in Gisborne.

“People have been very interested in the cars.”